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Adoption Lawyer in South Carolina

Mera Description: In need of a compassionate attorney for adoptions in South Carolina? Our experienced SC adoption lawyer can guide you through the process. Contact us today.

Adoption is not a small change but a big revolution in the life of the child and the adopting parents. Adoption provides a child with a secure and loving family and at the same time feeds the fantasies of people who want or are ready to have a child. However, the adoption process is not just a personal and emotional experience but also a legal one that entails several stages, documents, and rules.

Adoption is usually wrapped in a lot of legal formalities that can sometimes be complex. Every adoption case is different and has its own issues and conditions that have to be followed through very carefully. The process requires knowledge of the legal requirements of the state as well as the federal law and possible challenges such as birth parents’ rights and adoptive parents’ rights.

This is where the help of a specialized adoption lawyer is required most of the times.  Adoption lawyers at Max Hyde Law Firm are well-equipped and experienced in the South Carolina adoption laws and procedures. We have successfully handled a variety of personal injury cases in Spartanburg, Charleston, Greenville, and other areas throughout South Carolina.

We make sure that all legalities are handled well and properly to prevent any hitches that may slow the process, thus, making sure that families are reunited in the best way possible. Call (864) 804-6330 today to schedule a free consultation with a South Carolina adoption attorney.

Some Common Adoption Cases in South Carolina

South Carolina adoption includes several situations, every one of which has its own legal and psychological implications. Here are some common types of child adoption cases handled in the state:

  1. Domestic Infant Adoption

Domestic infant adoption entails the adoption of a child below the age of 1 year or is a newborn and is within the United States. Most potential adoptive parents use adoption agencies or lawyers to find the birth parents who are willing to give up their child for adoption. Such adoption has legal nuances for protecting the interests of all the stakeholders, including the birth parents.

  1. Foster Care Adoption

Foster care adoption means the adoption of children who are under the foster care system by their foster parents or other potential adoptive parents. Such children can be from their birth families because of abuse, lack of proper care, or other related issues that make them be taken away from their natural families. The process includes cooperation with the Department of Social Services and making sure that adoption is in the best interest of the child.

  1. Step-Parent Adoption

A step-parent adoption is usually found in blended families where a step-parent desires to legally take the role of a parent to his/her spouse’s child. This process involves the agreement of the non-custodial biological parent or the severing of his/her rights and it is beneficial to the family and the child as it legally protects the child.

  1. Relative Adoption

This is also known as second or third-degree adoption whereby one of the relatives adopts a child from within the family or from the spouse’s side of the family. This is mostly observed when the biological parents are unable to raise the kid because of one reason or the other. It also has the advantage of relative adoption in that the child can be kept in the family and has a stable environment.

South Carolina Adoption Laws You Should Know About

Adoption laws in South Carolina are designed to ensure the best interests of the child while protecting the rights of all parties involved. Prospective adoptive parents must navigate these laws carefully, often with the assistance of an experienced adoption lawyer. Here are some key South Carolina adoption laws you should be aware of:

Eligibility Criteria to Adopt a Child in South Carolina:

In South Carolina, any adult can adopt, regardless of age. However, most adoption agencies and professionals prefer that adoptive parents be at least 21 years old. There is no upper age limit, but prospective parents must demonstrate the physical and emotional ability to care for a child. [1]

Both single individuals and married couples are eligible to adopt in South Carolina. This includes:

Single Adults: Single men and women can adopt as long as they meet all other eligibility requirements.

Married Couples: Married couples must adopt jointly unless one spouse is the legal parent of the child (step-parent adoption). South Carolina does not require a minimum length

Consent Requirements

Consent is one of the major factors that defines the adoption process. The following parties typically must give their consent:

  • The biological parents if they have not had their parental rights taken away from them.
  • The child being adopted if he or she is 14 years old and above, or if the court so determines that it is not necessary.
  • Consent has to be expressed and informed and the biological parents often have 48 hours after the birth of the child to give consent. [2]

Termination of Parental Rights

Adoptions cannot go forward until the rights of the biological parents of the child are relinquished. It may be done willingly by the parents, with their permission; or unwillingly where it is forced by a court order if the parents are considered unfit to make such decisions. The basis for dismissal without notice is abandonment, neglect, abuse, and lack of care and communication with the child. [3]

  1. Home Study Requirements

A home study is an assessment of the potential adoptive parent’s home environment, history, and ability to adopt a child. It is one of the most time-consuming steps in the adoption process:

  • Interviewing the family members.
  • Home visits to evaluate the surrounding home environment.
  • Criminal and child abuse record checks.
  • Check of fiscal soundness and the medical documents.
  • The home study also ensures that the home to be provided for the child is safe and appropriate for the child. [4]
  1. Post-Placement Supervision

When a child is taken to adoptive parents, there is usually post-adoption placement supervision. At this stage, a social worker is likely to visit the home to assess the child’s adjustment and the family’s functioning. This usually spans for several months and is followed by a finalization hearing. [5]

  1. Finalization of Adoption

The legal process of the adoption is completed when the adoption is sealed in court. In this court session, the judge goes through the case and checks whether all the legal procedures have been complied with and if the adoption is in the best interest of the child. When the adoption is completed the adoptive parents receive all the legal rights and duties of the child and a new birth certificate is prepared.

Filing an Adoption Case in South Carolina

Adoption case initiation in South Carolina requires several vital procedures to be followed to ensure efficiency and legal working. Here’s a concise guide to help you understand the process:

  1. Choose an Adoption Attorney: It is therefore very important to select an adoption attorney who has adequate experience. They will advise, fill out the legal documents, and advocate for your rights throughout the process.
  2. Complete a Home Study: A home study is an essential precondition that aims to assess the adoptive parent’s home environment, background, and preparedness to adopt. It includes:
  • Background checks.
  • Home visits and interviews.
  • Financial checks and health records analysis.
  • Personal references.
  1. Submit the Petition for Adoption: After passing the home study, prepare and submit a Petition for Adoption to the Family Court of your county. The petition includes:
  • Data concerning the adopting couple and the child to be adopted.
  • Consent forms from the biological parents or the legal documents that show that the parental rights of the former have been severed.
  • Findings of a home study.
  1. Consent and Termination of Parental Rights: Get consent from the biological parents, this can be done willingly or through the process of adoption if the parents are unfit. 
  2. Post-Placement Supervision: It is after the child has been placed with the adoptive parents that a social worker will visit the home to assess the adjustment of the child. This supervision period usually ranges from several months.
  3. Finalization Hearing: The finalization hearing is where a judge looks at all paperwork and makes sure that all the paperwork is in compliance with South Carolina laws. The final decree of adoption is then given by the judge which then establishes the adoptive parents as the legal parents of the child.

7. Apply for a new Birth Certificate: After the finalization of the hearing, a birth certificate is prepared for the child with the adoptive parent’s name as the legal parents of the child. This is done by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DHEC).

How Experienced Child Adoption Attorneys at Max Hyde Can Help You

Adopting a child involves numerous legal complexities, and the experienced attorneys at Max Hyde can provide invaluable support throughout this process. They offer expert legal guidance on South Carolina adoption laws, assist with home study preparations, and handle all necessary paperwork to ensure accuracy and completeness. 

Max Hyde’s attorneys also manage consent and termination of parental rights, facilitate post-placement supervision, and represent you in the finalization hearing to secure a smooth and successful adoption. Additionally, they handle the issuance of a new birth certificate and offer personalized, compassionate support, understanding the emotional journey of adoption.

If you are considering adoption, Max Hyde’s child adoption attorneys are dedicated to helping you build your family. Contact Max Hyde today at (864) 804-6330 to book a free consultation with one of our child adoption attorneys.

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Max Hyde | Max Hyde Law Firm | Family and Divorce Lawyer | Spartanburg, South Carolina

Max Hyde

(864) 804-6330

Samantha Nicholson Larkins | Max Hyde Law Firm | Family and Divorce Lawyer | Spartanburg, South Carolina

Samantha Larkins

(864) 804-6330

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